Tripura development has emerged as the central political message from Chief Minister Manik Saha, who on Sunday, September 6, said there was no place for muscle power in democratic politics. Addressing a public meeting in Agartala, Saha accused opposition parties of trying to divide people and said political parties must earn public trust through governance, welfare and development.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a large meeting organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 4-Barjala Mandal. His remarks came as Tripura prepares for a series of local elections, including Village Committee polls and elections to the Agartala Municipal Corporation and Nagar Panchayats.
Saha pushes development-first politics
Saha said political parties should focus on the needs of ordinary citizens rather than relying on force or divisive strategies. According to him, voters want leaders they can trust and political organisations must demonstrate their commitment through work.
“In politics, people want someone whom they can believe and trust,” Saha said, adding that politics cannot be conducted through muscle power.
The Chief Minister said his government was working to provide basic services such as drinking water, housing, food and cooking gas connections. He presented these welfare measures as part of the government’s broader development agenda.
The emphasis on Tripura development also reflects a political strategy that the BJP has repeatedly highlighted during recent electoral campaigns.
Opposition accused of divisive politics
Saha accused the CPI(M) and Congress of attempting to regain political ground by creating divisions among people. He also criticised the Congress-CPI(M) alliance, alleging that both parties were primarily interested in acquiring political power.
The Chief Minister referred to the long tenure of the CPI(M) in Tripura and said voters had already rejected the party. He expressed confidence that people would not support its return to power.
Saha’s comments follow several earlier statements in which he has argued that political success should come through governance rather than coercion. In January, he said the BJP wanted to expand its presence in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and opposition-held Assembly seats through development rather than muscle power.
Tripura development becomes an election issue
The development-versus-division narrative has featured prominently in the BJP’s political messaging this year, particularly around the TTAADC elections.
In April, Saha said the era of “muscle power politics and emotional manipulation” in the council areas was coming to an end. He argued that voters were increasingly looking for development-oriented governance and criticised Tipra Motha over its record in the autonomous council.
The BJP had campaigned heavily on welfare and development ahead of the TTAADC polls. Saha also accused opponents of using disruptive tactics and said peace was necessary for development in the tribal areas.
Focus on welfare and public trust
At Sunday’s meeting, Saha linked the BJP’s political strength to what he described as growing public confidence in the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
He said the government was focused on improving the lives of ordinary citizens and credited the Prime Minister with prioritising welfare and national development. Saha also highlighted India’s economic growth, claiming that the country had become the world’s fourth-largest economy.
At the state level, he said the government was pursuing a similar approach by focusing on essential services and improving living conditions.
The Chief Minister’s emphasis on Tripura development is also aimed at positioning governance and welfare as key issues ahead of upcoming local elections.
BJP prepares for upcoming local polls
Saha said the BJP would contest the forthcoming Village Committee elections as part of the NDA alliance. He also expressed confidence that the party would perform strongly in upcoming elections to the Agartala Municipal Corporation and Nagar Panchayats.
The local polls are expected to provide another test of the BJP’s political support in the state. For the ruling party, the campaign is likely to centre on its record in government, welfare delivery and infrastructure rather than identity-based political mobilisation.
Saha’s latest remarks indicate that the BJP intends to make governance a major part of that campaign. His message was that political parties should win support by delivering results and maintaining public confidence.
The Chief Minister’s comments also underline the importance of peaceful political competition as Tripura enters another phase of electoral activity. While Saha has accused opposition parties of divisive politics, the wider political contest is likely to remain focused on competing claims over governance, welfare and development.
For the BJP, Tripura development remains a key plank as it seeks to strengthen its position across the state. Saha’s latest appeal suggests the ruling party wants voters to judge political organisations by their work, public welfare record and ability to deliver rather than by confrontation or force.
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